Comments for Consumers
This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.
Australian Prescriber Vol. 30 No. 1 2007
Kidney disease
Many medicines pass out of the body in the urine. This depends on the kidneys working properly.
As people get older their kidneys do not work so well. Some medicines and some illnesses can also affect the kidneys.
If a person's kidneys are not working normally they may not be able to get rid of doses of medicine. This could increase the side effects of the medicine.
In people with reduced kidney function some medicines should not be used. Other medicines require a lower dose or a bigger gap between doses.
